When customers stop by the Huntley Art Hub Gallery, one of the Shops on Main, owner Cindy Rafkind tells them to look high and look low. Her bright, sunny space inside the Hackett House, provided by the Village of Huntley’s Incubator Program, is small, hovering around 200 square feet — but it is filled to the gills with colorful art on the walls and shelves of unique jewelry, woodwork, stained glass, pottery, and more, representing artists from Huntley and the surrounding area.
Sun City resident and artist Karen Cluchey demonstrates sgraffito, pottery carving, live at the Huntley Art Hub.
“The Huntley Art Hub Gallery is the only place in Huntley where every single piece is created by local artists,” said Rafkind. “I called it a hub because I wanted it to sound alive and interactive, not just a place to go see and purchase art, but where you can see art being made.”
During weekend business hours, artists often do live demonstrations, offering opportunities to ask questions and witness the process of painting, sculpture, or printmaking with a linocut press. Rafkind also offers workshops, like pottery glazing or watercolor, led by local artists.
Of the 40 artists represented, 12 of those are residents of Sun City, a credit to the talent among the Del Webb community.
“In the fall [2025, when the gallery first opened], shoppers asked me whether I had artists from Del Webb. People raved about their neighbors and how talented they were,” said Rafkind. “Their reputation preceded them.” Shortly after, Rafkind set out to connect with the artist community at Sun City, where she was met with a wide range of artists who wanted to share their work.
A Destination for Art
Linda Wadman, a painter, showcases her beautiful fused glass pieces at the gallery. She serves as the Vice President of Pencils and Palettes, the longtime club for painters and sketch artists at Sun City.
“It was nice to find the Art Hub,” said Wadman. “It’s really close, and Cindy’s amazing. I personally know all the people displaying there from Sun City and they’re all excited about it. We joke that we’re not going to pay our bills with our art because we are usually selling at cost. We’re not looking to make a living. We’re retired. But it’s really gratifying to see if people appreciate it and want to take it home, use it as a gift, or display it in their own home.”
As soon as Karen Cluchey moved to Sun City a few years ago, she couldn’t wait to join Clayground, the group of men and women who love to create using clay. “It’s a wonderful way to creatively connect with others of like minds,” she said.
Having the creative outlet of Clayground allows her to commune with other artists and share her passion for creating with clay. Selling some of her pieces at the Art Hub gives her a meaningful destination for her art.
“I love to create pieces, and to be able to share my passion for clay with others here in the local area sounded wonderful,” she said. “There is something for everyone at the Gallery, from small, intricate creations to larger canvases. The centralized location makes it especially convenient to browse and see the creative talents of so many artists.”
Rafkind began her career as a nurse practitioner, but art was always nearby, an antidote to a stressful job.
“I found it relaxing,” she said. “It was something I could use to get into the flow state that is so healthy and beneficial.” Today, her nursing career has taken a backseat to her art and jewelry making, and Rafkind’s focus is on creating a community of local artists, where art and creativity seem to be in plentiful supply.
“The Huntley Art Hub Gallery is proof that our community is overflowing with talent,” she said.
The following artists from Sun City display and sell their work at the Huntley Art Hub Gallery:
• Joel Bambas – woodwork
• Carolyn Gordon – watercolor, acrylic, jewelry
• Jerry Pond – plein air, etching
• Karen Cluchey – pottery, sculpture
• Kathy Stallone – pottery, sculpture
• Laurel Sroka – acrylic and oil painting
• Tammy Haman – encaustic art
• William Kucera – fine art photography
• Rob Dombro – watercolor and photography
• Linda Wadman – fused glass
• Bonnie Fogg – watercolor
• Linda Bambas – mixed media
For more information, visit huntleyarthubgallery.com
